Bending Quote by John Stott
“Prayer is not a convenient device for imposing our will upon God, or bending his will to ours, but the prescribed way of subordinating our will to his.”
About This Quote
Prayer is intended to align our desires with divine will, not to manipulate God to fulfill our personal agendas.
In simple terms: Prayer reshapes our will, not God’s.
Key Takeaway
Prayer is about submission, not demand.
Themes
Spirituality
Humility
Faith practice
Theology
Self‑transformation
Mood
Reverent
Contemplative
Type
Spiritual
Philosophical
When to use this quote
- Personal devotional time
- Group worship settings
- Counseling sessions on spiritual growth
Key Concepts
Divine‑human relationship
Intentional surrender
Practical Applications
- Encourage reflective prayer focusing on listening
- Teach the concept of aligning personal goals with higher values
Questions to Reflect On
- In what ways can prayer foster personal growth beyond obedience?
- How does viewing prayer as surrender affect one's sense of agency?
A Different Perspective
If prayer is seen solely as submission, it may discourage honest expression of doubts or needs, limiting its therapeutic value.
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